A preview of 2006:
25,000 people join 200 international guests in the Village

Montréal, 30 August 2005 – “The 1st World Outgames Montréal 2006 will have the pleasure of welcoming almost 200 international guests who will join 25,000 Montrealers for this year’s ‘Rendez-Vous d'Or’ festivities, which begin Thursday and continue until 4 September,” Montréal 2006 Co-Presidents Ms. Lucie Duguay and Mr. Mark Tewksbury announced today.

THE GAMES BEFORE THE GAMES
In collaboration with Équipe Montréal, which brings together over 1,000 LGBT athletes, Montréal 2006 will be organising a unique sport Rendez-Vous on the weekend of 3 and 4 September. “A dozen of our member sport associations,” explained Mr. Daniel Vaudrin, President of Équipe Montréal, “will be giving demonstrations of their disciplines and will invite the public to participate all along Sainte-Catherine Street, the main street of the Village.”

The weekend will feature demonstrations in beach volleyball, aquatics, figure skating, wrestling, aerobics, billiards, physique, bowling, basketball, karate, and badminton. Cultural activities, such as country western dance and performances by choruses, will round out the programme.

Village merchants will be actively participating in these activities by opening their terraces and their hearts to all participants. The Québec Gay Chamber of Commerce, another partner of the Outgames, will also be actively involved in the ‘Rendez-Vous’.

THE NUIT D’OR GALA EVENING
With Mr. Mark Bruneau, Executive Vice-President and Chief Strategy Officer of Bell Canada Enterprises, as Honorary President for the evening, the Nuit d’Or gala will be held on 1 September 2005 at the magnificent Chalet de la montagne on Mount Royal, which offers a spectacular view of the city skyline. More than 800 guests, each contributing $250 toward the benefit of Montréal 2006’s Outreach programme, will enjoy a sumptuous selection of gourmet delights from the best chefs in Montréal. The Mayor of Montréal, Mr. Gérald Tremblay, accompanied by elected officials at the municipal, provincial and federal levels, along with many sports leaders from around the world, will also be among the evening’s guests.

CONFERENCE ON RIGHTS
The Scientific Committee for the International Conference on LGBT Rights, which will be held from 26 to 29 August 2006, will meet in Montréal from 1 to 3 September. These meetings will be held to finalise the programme for the Conference. The Committee will also announce a number of internationally-known and respected individuals who have agreed to participate in the 2006 Conference as keynote speakers or session chairpersons. The Scientific Committee represents a rarely achieved diversity of geographic backgrounds and a wealth of expertise in the realm of LGBT rights and human rights in general.

GLISA: INAUGURAL DELEGATE CONGRESS
During the same week that all these activities will take place, GLISA (Gay & Lesbian International Sport Association) members will meet for their Inaugural Delegates Congress from 30 August to 3 September in Montréal. Bringing together about fifty members from around the world, this young and dynamic international organisation will announce the host city of the 2nd World Outgames in 2009, as well as the cities that have expressed their interest in bidding on the 3rd World Outgames in 2013.

Forty team leaders from various LGBT sport associations will participate in the Congress as observers.

FORTY INTERNATIONAL JOURNALISTS
Forty journalists from countries around the world representing four continents will be in Montréal from 29 August to 4 September. They will then be able to describe their personal impressions and experiences, not only of the Outgames, but of the city of Montréal as well, with its welcoming atmosphere and spirit of openness to the world.

The Mayor of Montréal, Mr. Gérald Tremblay, the Outgames’ foremost ambassador, will welcome the journalists along with members of GLISA and the Scientific Committee to City Hall.

A PREVIEW OF 2006
“We are proud to be able to announce that the Outgames in 2006 will be an unforgettable event not only for the LGBT community, but for all Montrealers,” said Ms. Duguay and Mr. Tewksbury. “We would like to express our thanks to our partners and sponsors, our volunteers and athletes as well as all to our fellow citizens of Montréal.”

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